The Mess of Ecumenism: Some Examples from this Year

Some Examples from this Year

Nation's Oldest Basilica Occupied by Methodists

by John P. Philip

The main altar in St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Within St. Louis Cathedral—the most notable Catholic landmark in New Orleans and the oldest basilica in the United States in continuous use—three Protestant ministers knelt at the altar Friday, July 15, and were consecrated as bishops of the United Methodist Church.

Archbishop Philip Hannan, who has presided over the archdiocese since October, 1965, warmly welcomed more than a thousand delegates attending the South Central Jurisdictional Conference and a dozen or more United Methodist bishops to the historic cathedral, saying "God bless you all!"

The Archbishop, who has been considered one of the least liberal of American bishops, marched in the procession at the start of the ceremony that lasted 74 minutes. It was shocking to this Catholic to hear the noticeably heretical remarks made by Bishop John Wesley Hardt, and the words of the Methodist prayers being uttered in such a venerable edifice where the True Mass was once daily offered.

Archbishop Philip Hannan

Not surprisingly, the Methodist bishop introducing Hannan, praised him for his interest in Christian unity, and Hannan spoke and conducted himself as if he and the Methodist bishops were of the same communion. I noticed that Hannan even bowed his head during the various Methodist prayers. Hannan, who warmly congratulated the three who were consecrated as soon as the ceremony was over—amidst a crush of Methodists in the sanctuary—exercised his only restraint by not actually laying hands on the three during the "consecration." The Archbishop, who has stated that supporters of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre are "welcome back", will doubtless not be subject to any discipline.

It was sad indeed—if not surprising—to hear more than a thousand voices break out into conversation (even a greater hubbub than after the Novus Ordo) the moment the ceremony ended. In their crush to meet the new bishops, who stopped to notice the largest of the ceiling frescoes—depicting Our Lord giving the keys of the Kingdom to St. Peter? Did any eye catch the stunning stained glass windows commemorating the life of St. Louis IX, or the wonderful frescoes or glorious statues of this great king? And who looked for the Blessed Sacrament? If at all present by way of the new Mass, it had obviously been removed. For I could not find the usual sanctuary lamp at the altar of Our Lady. The words Ecce Panis Angelorum, so prominent above the main altar, apparently caught no one's eye.

Of course Archbishop Hannan made no appeals for conversion to the True Faith. As a matter of fact, the announcement of this sacrilege was made by both parties only three days before it happened, so that those Catholics with enough Faith to be upset, had almost no time to organize any kind of protest. Indeed when asked what was going on, the Chancery told this writer to check with the United Methodists. After all, the cathedral was being, in effect, turned over to them. How dare Hannan threaten traditional Catholics with excommunication, when he gives approval to false worship by allowing this Protestant service to take place in our Catholic Cathedral, and even attends it!

Perhaps when Bishop Williamson comes to New Orleans to give confirmation to the traditional Catholics, we'll ask if we can use St. Louis Cathedral. After all it would finally be a ceremony that St. Louis would recognize and be able to attend. If Archbishop Hannan allows Methodists to use the Cathedral, how about allowing a Catholic ceremony to take place in it for a change?

Wayne Gretzky Nuptials... A Kind of Ecumenical Hat Trick Special to Religious News Service

EDMONTON, Ontario (RNS) — Hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky has never been satisfied with the ordinary way of doing things—and that is as true of his wedding as it is of his performance on the ice.

In a kind of ecumenical hat trick, his July 16 wedding ceremony will unite an Anglican and a Methodist and take place in a Roman Catholic church.

The Anglican is Mr. Gretzky, star center for the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and holder of virtually every scoring record in the league. The Methodist is Janet Jones, a St. Louis-born dancer-actress, whose credits include a photo spread in Playboy and parts in the films, A Chorus Line, American Anthem, and Police Academy 5. The Catholic church is St. Joseph's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the area.

The officiating priest will be Rev. John Munro, the retired rector of St. Mark's Anglican Church in Brantford, Ontario, Mr. Gretzky's home town. A long-time family friend, Father Munro prepared the young Mr. Gretzky (just "Wayne" to the priest) for confirmation as an Anglican.

Father Munro calls Mr. Gretzky a "devout Anglican. He always tried to squeeze it in between hockey practices, and he went to church wherever he went," as a minor hockey player.

For the wedding, billed by some as "the closest thing to a royal wedding in Canada," a large church is needed. The couple needs room enough for a wedding party of 22 (with bridesmaids wearing gowns flown in by private jet from Los Angeles), and a symphony orchestra, as well as 700 guests.

Other wedding trivia: the groom's gift to the bride is rumored to be a Rolls Royce; she'll get a wedding band studded all around in diamonds; and if you want to send a gift, try McKinzie Childs china at Neiman Marcus, $250 a place setting.

A burning question for liturgy-conscious Anglicans—whether Mr. Gretzky and Ms. Jones will use the traditional form found in the elegant Book of Common Prayer or a more contemporary version in the newer Book of Alternative services—hasn't been settled yet, Father Munro said.

Despite common belief that only Catholic weddings can be performed in Catholic churches, the Gretzky-Jones wedding is not bending any rules, says Rev. Francis Patsula, an expert in Catholic church law.

Canon law simply says that in sacred places, only "those things are to be permitted which serve to exercise or promote worship, piety and religion. Anything out of harmony with the holiness of the place if forbidden."

In general, says Rev. Patsula, other marriages can be performed in Catholic churches, with the approval of the local priest, as long as a Christian marriage is important to the partners and they are free to marry under the laws of the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church usually asks marriage partners to take some counseling before the wedding, and Mr. Gretzky and Ms. Jones are no exception, said the Rev. Mike McCaffery, rector of the basilica. They'll participate in some sessions of Prepare-Enrich, a program which uses computer analysis of a questionnaire to provide a starting point for marriage counseling. Father McCaffery is calling the wedding an "ecumenical ceremony."

Besides he said, with a twinkle in his eye, "Wayne's grandmother is a good Polish Catholic."

And yet another crime... this one in Philadelphia

Lutheran Bishop Installed at Cathedral

Archbishop Bevilacqua offers greetings at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul April 16 during the installation of Bishop Lawrence L. Hand (at right) as the first bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Among those in attendance were approximately 2,000 Lutherans, Cardinal Krol, and several officials of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, numerous representatives of other Christian denominations and Mayor Goode. The installation marked the first time that a specifically Protestant event was held in the Cathedral. Bishop Hand said the installation service opened "new possibilities of ecumenical cooperation in this area." Archbishop Bevilacqua called Bishop Hand's installation "a day of great joyful hope for both our churches."